Lock for paper fasteners



Nov. 20, 1928.

F. J. KLINE LOCK FOR PAPER FASTENERS Filed O'ct. 1926 INVENTOR 71M} Aflgi BY maimzM fl ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT'OFFICE.

LOCK FOR PAPER FASTENERS.

Application filed October 7, 1926 Serial No. 139996.

This invention relates to a lock for paper fastners of the familiar type having prongs which pass through the paper and are bent thereon.

The prongs of the fasteners are made of soft flexible metal to facilitate binding and consequently they afford little resistance to strains which tend to release the fasteners. This is particularly true when papers are bound in relatively thick bundles. The fasteners do not, therefore, provide a satisfactory permanent or semi-permanent binding.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive lock which can be applied readily to fasteners to hold the prongs firmly and securely in position to bind the papers.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan View of a lock embodying the invention, indicating the mode of applying it to the fastener;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of a slightly modified lock;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of another modified form of the lock;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a further modification of the lock; and

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

The invention is designed particularly to avoid the necessity for threading the prongs of the fasteners through perforations in the lock and for bending parts thereof. The method of applying the lock is thus simplified and its application is facilitated. To accomplish the object of the invention I provide a substantially fiat plate of a suitable metal such as soft brass or soft tinned-sheetsteel with three or more tongues in parallel relation which are adapted respectively to slip over and under the prongs of the fastener after the latter have been bent to fastening position. The prongs of the fastener are gripped in the slits between the tongues of the lock, the resiliency of the tongues and the resulting friction being sufiicient to prevent reverse fiexing of prongs. The fastener is thus held firmly in the desired position.

In the simplest form of the invention a metal plate is provided with three tongues, the middle tongue being adapted to slip over the prongs at the point where they are bent to retain the papers while the other tongues pass under the prongs. The prongs are gripped between the middle and outer tongues. Two additional tongues may be provided to overlie the outer .ends of the prongs and thus to hold the latter more securely. In another form of the lock the middle tongue is omitted and the prongs of the fastener are gripped between two tongues at each end of the lock which pass respectively over and under the prongs.

The lock may be further modified by separating the tongues and forming projections thereon near their outer ends. These projections may be bent from the plane of the lock so that after, the latter has been slipped over the prongs of the fastener the latter cannot escape from the openings between the tongues. In such a lock the prongs may pass through a central slot, the mouth of which is narrowed by the projections mentioned After passing over the inner tongues the ends of the prongs may pass beneath outer tongues, the ends of which are 1 similarly guarded by the projections.

In the various forms of the look as described the tongues may be bent slightly from the plane of the sheet or strip from which they are cut to facilitate the use thereof. The outer ends of the tongues can be bent likewise to hold the lock more securely in place. The surface of the lock which engages the paper may also be roughened or teeth may be formed thereon so that any tendency of the lock to slip will be overcome.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, 5 indicates a lock having tongues 6 and 7 thereon, the former being centrally disposed to overlie the prongs 8. The prongs pass over the tongues 7 and are'gripped in the slots between the-tongues 6 and 7. In Figs. 3 and 4 the lock is shown as having five tongues 9, 10 and 11. The tongues 9 and 10 are similar to the tongues 6 and 7 of Fig. 1 and the overlie the ends of the'prongs 8. In Figs. 5 and 6 the central tongue is omitted and tongues 12 underlie the prongs 8 of the fastener while the tongues 13 are over the prongs.

In Figs. 7 and 8 a modified form of lock is shown in which the tongues 14 and 15 are spaced apart. A slot 16 is formed between the tongues 14 to embrace the prongs 8 of the fastener. Projections 17 on the tongues 14 tongues 11 are added for greater security and guard the mouth of the slot and prevent escape of the prongs which are spread as they are bent to fastening position. The tongues 15 overlie the prongs 8 and projections 18 prevent escape of the prongs.

The lock as described affords numerous advantages, among which are its simplicity and cheapness and the ease with which it may be applied. It requires no special skill or acquired practice to apply the lock rapidly and efiiciently. The lock can be removed quickly to release the fasteners.

Various changes may be made in the form and details of construction of the lock without departing from the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

I claim 1. A look for pronged paper fasteners comprising a plate having a plurality of substantially straightparallel tongues adapted respectively to pass beneath and above and thereby to grip the prongs of a fastener, the ends of the tongues which overlie the prongs being bent toward the cooperating tongues to spectively to pass beneath and above the hold the lock in looking position.

2. A lock for pronged paper fasteners comprising a plate having a plurality of substantially straight parallel tongues adapted respectively to pass beneath and above and thereby to grip the prongs of a fastener, the

tongues which overlie the prongs having lat-' eral projections at their ends to hold the lock in looking position.

ron s of the fastener when the )ron s are D O bent to secure the paper, the ends of the tongues which over'liethe prongs being bent toward the cooperating tongues to hold the lock securely in position.

5. A binding device for papers and the like comprising in combination a pronge'd fastener and a lock therefor consisting of a plate having a plurality of offset and substantially straight parallel tongues adapted reprongs of the fastener when the prongs are bent to secure the papers,' the ends of the tongues which overlie the prongs having lateral projections at their ends to hold the lock in looking position.

In testimony whereof I affix m signature.

FRED J. ZKLJINE 

